Summer Drownings - How Can They Be Avoided?

Calendar-wise, it isn't even summer yet here in the Southeastern part of the United States, but drownings are happening at an alarming rate. Pools, ponds, lakes, all seem to be culprits. The young people, especially males, like to take dips, sometimes at really offbeat times.

One young man was at a lake that is considered to be tricky, even in the daytime. He was swimming at about 2:00AM, alone. He apparently panicked when he caught cramps in his legs.
This young man was not wearing a lifejacket.


Another victim was caught in the undertow, also without a lifejacket. I realize that all swimming areas are not monitored and do not have lifeguards stationed every one hundred feet or so. There should be some mandatory rule posted at all public swimming areas reminding all potential swimmers that they must have a lifejacket. There should be a stiff fine for anyone not complying with the lifejacket mandate. I believe they would help save lives.

From The Porch

Since I'm a country person by nature. I simply love the views from my back porch. I get to see all kinds of birds, especially if I decide to sit out there early in the mornings. The red birds, blue birds, mocking birds, black birds, etc., are all up and at it. There are many, many more birds to listen to and observe. They are too many to mention.

From the porch, I can see squirrels playing on the woodpile. One of them has a white chest. It can be easily identified if he comes to play again. They are full of chatter and energy in the early morning hours.

From the back porch, I can also observe the rabbits running through the garden. They have no problem in helping themselves to our nice freshly-grown vegetables. They take bites from the tomatoes; the rabbits take samples from all kinds of greens and beans. There is enough, though, for us, and the animals, too. I really, really enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting on my back porch.